A CAREER WAS BORN OUT OF PASSION FOR COOKING. FOR MY FAMILY WHO ARE MY SUPPORT SYSTEM!

Monday, November 7, 2016

Traveling to Boise Idaho

My son Rodmond
took me on a road trip to Boise, Idaho to visit his brother my oldest son
Walter and his family. It was a relaxing and fun trip. We stopped in M……
overnight and did some gambling. Rod showed me how to play poker on those
gambling machines, so much fun. I lost $5.00 Rod only lost $2.00. The next
morning after breakfast we took off for Boise.

Walter and
Veronika were waiting for us, Jesse and Janine were in Church. Oh yes, we
arrived in Boise on a Sunday. The first impression of their property and home
was so unexpected. Beautifully landscaped and enclosed by high fences with a
gate which makes it look like a little estate. Actually, the home sits on about
2 acres. Walter and Veronika added a huge master suite, a to die for bathroom
which includes a tub with jets and a sauna. A Living room/music room also was
added to the original 3 bedroom house.

After Rod
cooked this great breakfast the next morning, Rod and I went sightseeing. Boise
built a European style village with beautiful gardens and a big fountain which
was music driven, the sprays went up and down by the tunes. We thought the
music was a little loud. The stores and restaurants all had a European flair.
We loved walking through it and sitting on one of the benches to relax. Flowers
everywhere!

Jesse and Janine off to school

Back at
Walter’s home, Walter and Rod worked on window frames to get ready for Walters
next project. The girls went to school and Veronika and I got better acquainted.

The time
went by so fast and we were back on our way toward California. Rod decided we should
drive all the way to my home in Healdsburg, it took us 11 hours, not bad. Rod
stayed about two hours and left for his home in Sacramento. I am forever
grateful that I got to go and see how my oldest son and family are doing. It
was a wonderful relaxing and scenic trip.

Less than 18
hours later I got sick. I ate a yoghurt which was in the hot car for almost 8
hours and got a staff food poisoning infection, yikes, how to spoil the
homecoming.

The Big Surprise:

Three weeks
ago I received another surprise. My children bought me a new car, a Fiat 500
Sport, black. I still am in awe. They been talking about how I need a new car
for almost a year and I kept saying no. At some point over the last month my
daughter Heidi says: “Mom it is not your decision anymore”, wow. My thoughts
were, ok this will pass and everyone is going to be happy with the way things
are. Boy was I wrong. The surprise was total and we will try and post the video
so you all can see my face when I was handed the keys to the car. Heidi and
Bill and Rod where the ones who got the ball rolling. When I saw Heidi and Bill
and our friend Josie besides me at that parked car which had a for sale sign saying:
“FOR SALE YOU SHOULD BUY THIS FOR YOUR MOTHER”; I laughed at that and then Bill
steps forward and says: “Maybe they did”.I was so flustered. I got to drive the car to my home with Bill besides
me explaining all the buttons, ha, ha. We all went home and Rod cooked lunch.
Heidi and Bill had to leave for home after lunch which is in Santa Cruz and Rod
decided he was leaving also. Neal was the one who directed Rod to the parking
lot where the Fiat was parked. Neal of course also went home, he lives here in
Healdsburg.

After
everyone left I had myself a good cry! The generosity of my children overwhelmed
me and still does. I am forever grateful for my thoughtful children.

Monday, August 8, 2016

It is a good
day to write if I can just get my head around it. I been avoiding my
manuscript! Perhaps I am afraid that my book will bomb but I will never know
unless I finish it will I? It is time to change my attitude and my time
management. Making a new schedule for writing is the first thing I need to do.
Stick with it every day and voila, I will finish it. I am retired and have the
time. Unfortunately, I always find a different project to do, more physical than
sitting at the computer. The sun is peeking out and it will be a very warm day.

My 81st
Birthday was July 15, and my daughter Heidi was here one day before my
Birthday. Heidi took me for a facial which was fun, even though I am not fond
of facials.

Bill,
Heidi’s husband came on my Birthday so did Rod and of course Neal. We had a
great time. Chinese was on the menu at the 8 Dragon Restaurant and it was good.
Saturday morning Heidi and Rod made breakfast. Then, Bill, Rod and Neal left.
Heidi and I went shopping and Heidi left for Santa Cruz on Sunday Morning.

I feel
blessed. My other children and grandchildren called. My home was filled with
flowers from my children and friends. Cards galore, I really do like my
birthday, ha, ha.

Weekends are
strange when I am alone, I really do not know why but they seem more lonely,
even though I am alone most of the time. I also have not been very social for
the last couple of years, not healthy they tell me!

Slowly but
steadily I am evolving again and will entertain more and also travel some. Las
Vegas and Boise are on my bucket list and I hope one of my children will travel
with me in the next year or two. I feel bad that I disappointed Walter for not being
in Boise for his Birthday which was in April.

Heidi had a
Birthday July 28 (she’s past 40 years old), oh boy no wonder I feel so old some
of the time.

Neal had a
Birthday on August 1 (he’s past 50 years old).

July ended
with a sad note. Kurt passed on 17 years ago on July 29. August also has sadness
my husband Marc my children’s father passed on 40 years ago on August 23.

As for a
favorite recipe that all my children and Marc loved is in my blog: The
California Adventure 1982-1996 I believe it is blog number four.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Christmas 2015, January 2016

Our Christmas had its ups
and downs. We really did have a nice Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The sad
part was Heidi got sick the day before Christmas Eve and was under the weather
until the 27th of December when she started to feel better and she
and I went shopping. Heidi stayed an extra day, her hubby Bill and my son
Rodmond left the morning of the 27th, Neal of course lives in
Gyserville so he was back and forth.

Our new tradition of
having live Lobster, which we started about seven years ago was so decadent. I
tried to convince my children that it is too costly but of course I was out
voted. Heidi’s hubby Bill really insisted and bought dinner for us. It certainly is so much easier on me since I
used to cook Duck with all the trimmings. I miss it at times and tell myself I
will cook one just for me, ha, ha.

As usual my kids surprised
me and I received a Robot Roomba vacuum - so much fun and it helps my back. I
still need to learn more about the Robot Roomba because even though I schedule
the time I want to vacuum he has a mind of his own and starts vacuum in the middle
the night sometime, yikes. Have not had a chance to study the whole manual
because I got sick and was sick for about four weeks. I’m still not at a
hundred percent but getting there. Neal was a big help these last few weeks and
I am so grateful to have one of my children live close by.

Once I felt better and
ventured out my car broke down and I had to take it into the shop, no fun! In
the meantime I also had to have two new front tires. Isn’t the saying
unexpected things come in threes? Hopefully this is the end of it and all will
go smoothly from here on out. When unplanned obstacles happen I wonder at times
why did I choose to live alone?! However I would not like it any other way, ha,
ha.

I love living alone and
love the town I choose to make home. I have a beautiful apartment and great
neighbors and made good friends here in Healdsburg. Visitors from near and far
makes life interesting and busy which is a good thing when you are a senior.

Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner is Curried Shrimp Leek
Soup has been for more than 40 years. I believe I posted the recipe in a
previous blog. Will have to check that out.

I hope who ever reads my blog will stay healthy
and happy and warm. Will attach a appetizer recipe which goes great with any special occasion especially at Christmas!

Portobello mushroom
carpaccio

4 medium portabella mushrooms

extra virgin olive oil

salt and fresh ground pepper
to taste

Topping

extra virgin olive oil

balsamic vinegar

1 clove garlic finely chopped

2 shallots finely chopped

2 ripe tomatoes seeded and diced

2 tablespoons capers

4 tablespoons grated fresh
Parmesan cheese

6 fresh basil leaves chopped

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

salt and fresh ground pepper
to taste

Mix olive oil and garlic in a
small bowl. Brush the mushrooms with the garlic and oil mixture, place on sheet
pan then season with salt and pepper. Bake in 350 degree oven until cooked
through about fifteen minutes. (This can be done up to two days in advance).

Presentation:

Slice the portabellas 1/8
inch thick on the bias and arrange neatly on four oven proof plates. Mix the
ingredients for the topping and spoon on top of the mushrooms. Put into 300
degree oven and warm through for about 3 to 5 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil
and season with fresh ground pepper. Serve with crusty French bread.

About Me

I inherited the dining bug from my father, who ran successful dinner clubs in Germany, my native country. My forty plus years of experience in the food service industry include experience as chef, restaurant and private club general manager, and director of food & beverage for hotels. My first major success as a food service professional came with the establishment and the subsequent phenomenal popularity of Annie’s Firehouse Soup Kitchen Restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut.
Other establishments I have worked with include The Graduate Club, in New Haven, Connecticut; the Four Seasons Hotel, Le Premier Restaurant, & Radisson Plaza Hotel, Newport Beach, Dream Inn Hotel, Santa Cruz, Los Gatos Lodge, Los Gatos, Felix & Louis, Healdsburg, all in California; Village Latch Inn, South Hampton, New York; and the Radisson Hotel in Osprey, Florida.
Corporate clients include Conde Nast, Yale University, and Irvine Ranch Farmer’s Market among many others.
Television credits include cooking demonstrations in New Haven, Connecticut and New York City. I have also been featured in the food section of many papers.